COMMON MARKET

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31915, 17 February 1969, Page 20

COMMON MARKET

British Views (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 16. That Britain might never join the European Common Market is the opinion of some well-informed members of the London Chamber of Commerce, according to Mr S. L. Moses, the past president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand. Another economic reason why Britain's need to join the Common Market was not as pressing as previously was the establishment by many British firms of large subsidiaries in Europe.

Mr Moses returne on Friday from Britain, where in the course of his stay he had talks with members of the London Chamber of Commerce.

Although both British political parties at the moment were committed to taking Britain into the E.E.C., public opinion bad now swung against the proposal, Mr Moses said. Previously, there had been probably a small majority in favour of Common Market entry, but now there was a small majority against.

The Duke of Devonshire said in Dunedin yesterday that Britain would ensure that New Zealand’s interests were looked after if and when it joined the Common Market, the Press Association reported. Just as New Zealand was turning its thoughts on trade more and more to the Pacific so was Britain looking more to Europe, the Duke of Devonshire said. But the close traditional ties between the two countries would ensure that Britain would help New Zealand whenever aid was required in trade or defence. The recent Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference in London showed that the Commonwealth was far from a spent force, he said.